
Door storage compartmentsGWarning!
Keep the door storage compartments closed
while vehicle is in motion. Failure to do so may
cause the seat belt to catch at the rear and
prevent proper positioning of the seat belt.
\000FRelease button\000GStorage compartment lidXOpening: Press release button \000F.
Rear storage compartments
GWarning!
To help avoid personal injury during a collision
or sudden maneuver, exercise care when
storing objects in the vehicle. Put luggage or
cargo in the trunk if possible.
Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the
seat backrests.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
Rbraking
Rvehicle maneuvers
Ran accident
Driver’s side rear storage compartment
\000FRelease button\000GStorage compartment lidXOpening: Press release button \000F.
Luggage compartment in the rear
GWarning!
Secure all pieces of luggage in the rear with
the luggage straps. Unsecured pieces of
luggage can otherwise cause injury during a
braking maneuver and can increase the risk
of injury in an accident.
Never allow anyone to ride in the rear.
The luggage straps can only secure light
luggage items. Carry heavy pieces of luggage
in the trunk.
The rear compartment area is not designed or
intended to accommodate occupants. Severe
personal injury or death may be the result in
an accident.
GWarning!
The shelf below the rear window should not
be used to carry objects. This will avoid such
objects from being thrown about and injuring
vehicle occupants during an accident or
sudden maneuver.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry
objects.
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XSecuring luggage: Pull strap \000F out of
holder \000G.
XSecure the luggage with strap \000F so that it
cannot move.
XInsert strap \000F into latch \000

AshtrayXOpening: Briefly touch cover plate \000F.XRemoving ashtray insert: Secure vehicle
from movement by engaging the parking
brake.
XShift the automatic transmission into
neutral position N.
XPress sliding knob \000G to the right.
The ashtray insert will eject a short
distance.
XReinstalling ashtray insert: Press ashtray
insert into the frame until it snaps into
place.
XClosing: Push down cover plate \000F.
Cigarette lighter
GObserve Safety notes, see page 51.GWarning!
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only.
Make sure any children traveling with you do
not injure themselves or start a fire with the
hot cigarette lighter.
If the engine is off and the cigarette lighter is
being used extensively, the vehicle battery
may become discharged.
XOpen the cover (Y page 166).XSwitch on the ignition.XPush in cigarette lighter \000F.
Cigarette lighter \000F will pop out
automatically when hot.
XTake out cigarette lighter \000F.XReinsert cigarette lighter \000F in its socket
after use.
Power outlet
The power outlet can be used to
accommodate 12V DC electrical accessories
(e.g. auxiliary lamps, mobile phone chargers)
up to a maximum of 15 A (180 W).
XSwitch on the ignition.
Power outlet in trunk
If the engine is off and power outlet \000F is
being used extensively, the vehicle battery
may become discharged.
166Useful featuresControls in detail
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Programming tips
If you are having difficulty programming the
integrated remote control, here are some
helpful tips:
R Check the frequency of hand-held remote
control 0086 (typically located on the reverse
side of the remote). The integrated remote
control is compatible with radio-frequency
devices operating between 280-390 MHz.
R Put a new battery in hand-held remote
control 0086. This will increase the likelihood
of the hand-held remote control sending a
stronger and more accurate signal to the
integrated remote control.
R While performing step 3, hold hand-held
remote control 0086 at different lengths and
angles from the signal transmitter button
( 0047 , 008A or 0088) you are programming.
Attempt varying angles at the distance of 2
to 12 inches (5 to 30 cm) away or the same
angle at varying distances.
R If another hand-held remote control is
available for the same device, try the
programming steps again using that other
hand-held remote control. Make sure new
batteries are in the hand-held remote
control before beginning the procedure.
R Straighten the antenna wire from the
garage door opener assembly. This may
help improve transmitting and/or receiving
signals.
i Certain types of garage door openers are
incompatible with the integrated remote
control. If you should experience further
difficulties with programming the
integrated remote control, contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, or call
the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (USA only) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372),
or the HomeLink ®
Hotline (USA only) at
1-800-355-3515, or the Customer Service
(Canada only) at 1-800-387-0100.
i USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
i Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference,
and
2. this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
Floormats
GWarning!
Whenever you are using floormats, make sure
there is enough clearance and that the
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats should always be securely fastened
using the fastening equipment.
Before driving off, check that the floormats
are securely in place and adjust them if
necessary. A loose floormat could slip and
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of each
other as this may impair pedal movement.
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XPush handle \000G under the hood upwards.XPull up on the hood and then release it.
The hood will be held open at shoulder
height by gas-filled struts automatically.
Closing
GWarning!
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged
before driving off. Do not continue driving if
the hood can no longer engage after an
accident, for example. The hood could
otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and injure you and/or others.
XLet the hood drop from a height of
approximately 8 in (20 cm).
XCheck to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point above
the headlamps, then it is not properly
closed. Open it again and let it drop with
somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine consumes will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Increased oil consumption can
occur when the vehicle is new or the vehicle
is driven frequently at higher engine speeds.
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
! Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies.
Using special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
For further information contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Notes on checking engine oil level
When checking the oil level the vehicle must
be parked on level ground.
SL 550, SL 63 AMG: The vehicle must have
been stationary for at least 5 minutes with the
engine turned off.
SL 600, SL 65 AMG: With the engine at
operating temperature, the vehicle must have
been stationary for at least 5 minutes with the
engine turned off.
With the engine not at operating temperature,
the vehicle must have been stationary for at
least 30 minutes with the engine turned off.
Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick
On the SL 550 and SL 63 AMG you can check
the engine oil level with the oil dipstick.
iIn vehicles without an oil dipstick, the
engine oil level is measured with the control
system (Y page 182).
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XScrew the valve cap back onto the valve.
iVehicles with 19" spare wheel only:
Before placing the spare wheel in the spare
wheel well fasten tensioning straps, see
“Compressing the collapsible tire”
(Y page 226).
XPlace the spare wheel into the spare wheel
well.
XSecure the spare wheel by turning retaining
screw \000

VehicleDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and 0050 Solutions0084The trunk is open.XClose the trunk ( Y page 75).005AYou are driving with the hood open.XStop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as it is safe to
do so.XClose the hood ( Y page 181).
There is otherwise danger of an accident.
0085You are driving with the hood and the trunk open.XStop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as it is safe to
do so.XClose the hood ( Y page 181) or the trunk ( Y page 75).
There is otherwise danger of an accident.
0051You are driving with at least one door open.XClose all doors.0051Check
DoorsVehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
You are pressing the lock button on the door handle and at
least one door is open.XClose all doors.0059Retract.
Roof Oper.
Please
Wait
See Oper.
ManualThe on-board voltage is too low.XRepeat the opening or closing procedure.XStart the engine.The hardtop drive system was shut down for safety reasons
after multiple, consecutive attempts to raise or lower the
hardtop.
After about 10 minutes you can open or close the retractable
hardtop.XSwitch on the ignition.XRepeat the opening or closing procedure.XIf the retractable hardtop still does not open or close
properly, have the hardtop system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.0059Retractabl
e Roof
LoweringThe retractable hardtop is not completely opened or closed.
The roof hydraulics will start to lose pressure.XMake sure the retractable hardtop is completely opened or
closed ( Y page 155).Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display241Practical hints230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 241Z

The factory-equipped battery may only be
replaced with a battery that
R has the same security features
R is of identical size
R is of identical voltage
R is of identical capacity
! As any other battery, the battery may
discharge if you do not operate the vehicle
for an extended period of time. Have the
battery disconnected at a qualified
workshop or an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center in such a case. You may also
connect an accessory battery charge unit
expressly approved by Mercedes-Benz for
your vehicle model to maintain the battery
charge. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for further information.
The battery, the battery ventilation hose
and the lateral plug must always be
securely installed when the vehicle is in
operation.
! Never loosen or detach battery terminal
clamps while the engine is running or the
SmartKey is in the starter switch or
KEYLESS-GO button is in position 1.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be severely
damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
maintenance intervals or contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
further information.
i After battery power was interrupted, do
the following:
R Synchronize the ESP ®
(Y page 228).
R Synchronize the power windows
( Y page 98).Charging the batteryGWarning!
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during
charging and could cause an explosion that
may result in personal injury, paint damage or
corrosion.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available. It permits the charging of the
battery in its installed position. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information and availability.
Charge battery in accordance with the
separate instructions for the accessory
battery charger.
Have the battery charged at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. If you charge the
battery yourself, follow the operating
instructions for your charging device.
Only use a battery charge unit with a
maximum charging voltage of 14.8 V.
XCharge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
Jump starting
GWarning!
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting or
jump starting. You might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
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